16 November 2024 | 12 min
16 November 2024 | 12 min
Sri Lanka is an island country located in South Asia. It a popular destination for tourist from all over the world. People visit this country to see the nature, wildlife, historical sites and also to learn about the country’s indigenous culture.
The geographical location and landscape of the country are major attractions. Surrounded by the Indian ocean, Sri Lanka has some of the most beautiful extensive sandy beaches in the world. The central part of the country is a highland with beautiful landscapes and lush greenery making it a perfect place to relax and unwind amidst nature.
There is a plethora of activities that you can engage in Sri Lanka depending on your interests. Sri Lanka has a special experience for every type of traveler. From nature enthusiasts to beach lovers, the country caters to the needs of all types of travelers.
Do I need a visa to travel to Sri Lanka? This is a major question among many first-time travelers to Sri Lanka. Well, if you do not belong to the countries that have visa free entry agreement with Sri Lanka, then you will have to apply for a tourist visa to Sri Lanka to be allowed entry into the country.
If you do not want to go through the hassle of visa application, you can reach out to a visa agency like Arabiers who will help you acquire the visa. The process is very easy and straightforward as you only need to send the required documents via email or WhatsApp and Arabiers will proceed to get you a visa.
There are many places to visit and things to do in Sri Lanka depending on your interest and preferences. However, you cannot visit all the major attractions in the country so we recommend you follow an itinerary.
Prioritize on visiting specific regions and the major regions such as Colombo, Kandy, Ella, Sigiriya, Udawalawe among others.
Research the major attractions in the country and create an itinerary that included the places you would want to visit. Another alternative, is using the already existing itineraries from the internet or from tour companies.
Arabiers for example, offers holiday packages that you can choose from. We can also customize a package for you which we tailor make it according to your requests and preferences.
There are many activities that you can engage in while in Sri Lanka. Here we have listed examples of the places you can visit for certain activities:
If you love playing with the water or just strolling and unwinding by the beach, Sri Lanka has some of the best beaches in the world. Activities that you can do at the beach include swimming, surfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, paddleboarding among others.
If you are going for a beach holiday here are the places you should consider vising:
• Mirissa
• Unawatuna
• Bentota
• Tangalle
• Negombo
If you are a nature lover and planning to explore the beautiful landscapes of Sri Lanka, here are the places you should consider visiting:
• Ella
• Nuwara Eliya
• Kandy
• Haputale
• Bandarawela
These are the places you should visit to learn more about the history and culture of Sri Lanka:
• Sigiriya
• Polonnaruwa
• Anuradhapura
• Galle
• Dambulla
If you are looking to explore the rich, biodiversity and wildlife varieties in Sri Lanka visit the following places:
• Yala National Park
• Wilpattu National Park
• Udawalawe National Park
• Sinharaja Forest Reserve
• Horton Plains National Park
Sri Lanka has a well-connected public transport system. There are several means of transport that you can use to move around. These are:
The rail network in Sri Lanka connects the major towns and prime attractions in the country. You can easily travel in most parts of the west, south, north and central Sri Lanka through a train.
Go on the most beautiful train ride, the famous Hatton to Ella journey. And enjoy the stunning sceneries between the two towns. You will get to see the best of rural Sri Lanka, pass through tea plantations, forests, misty mountains and picturesque villages.
Buses connect most of the main tourist attractions in Sri Lanka and they are very cheap. However, when using a bus, be ready for a bumpy ride if you are visiting the interior parts of the country. The buses using the highways are a great alternative if you traveling from Colombo to the southern part of the country.
Tuk-tuks are available in popular areas especially along the south coast. They are a great alternative when travelling for short distances.
Taxis are available in most cities and towns in Sri Lanka, but they are usually metered. If you are travelling for long distance, for example from south coast to Ella, you should talk to the taxi driver in advance and settle on a price.
Download Uber and Sri Lanka’s local taxi app before travelling to Sri Lanka, so that you can easily maneuver your way in the country.
Sri Lanka experiences two monsoons which influence the climate of the region. The best time to visit Sri Lanka basically depends on the region you will be visiting and the activities you plan to engage in.
If you plan to explore more of the west and southern regions of the country, it is better to plan your visit between November and April, as the weather during this time is dry and sunny.
If you are going for a sightseeing tour in the central highlands of Ella and Nuwara Eliya, plan your visit between December and March, when it will not be raining. For those planning to explore the eastern side of the country, the perfect time to visit is between April and July.
Generally, you can visit the country during any time of the year, because the weather there is not extreme.
Get the local currency – Make arrangements to get the local Sri Lankan currency when you arrive in the country. The Sri Lankan Rupee will come in handy when paying for your meals, transport, entry tickets or even tipping.
Pack Accordingly: Carry clothing depending on the places you want to visit in Sri Lanka. Do research on the current weather of the parts of the country you will be visiting and then pack clothing that is appropriate. For example, if you will be mostly visiting the coastal regions, pack light clothing, swimwear and also light jackets or sweaters as the evenings may get chilly.
Pack your essentials: Do not forget to carry essentials like sunglasses, hats, sunscreen and water bottles to carry water.
Double check your travel documents: Before you board a flight to Sri Lanka, ensure you have all your travel documents close by. Such include your passport, visa and identification cards.
Learn basic local language: Even though it might be hard to learn the local language in a short time, it may be very helpful if you learn some commonly used local terminologies. The Sihnalese is primarily spoken in the south while Tamil is mainly spoken in the North. Learning the basic phrases will help you connect better with the locals.